E&E Daily headlines — Wednesday, February 6, 2013 — 7:18 AM

SPOTLIGHT

Counties in western Oregon have been told that 10 percent of their annual timber payments from the federal government are being withheld in case Congress fails to stop the across-the-board sequester cuts set to take effect March 1. The pending cuts could siphon millions of dollars from Oregon counties, forcing cuts to the number of law enforcement officials, assistant district attorneys and nurses, according to Rocky McVay, executive director of the Association of O&C Counties, which represents 18 counties in western Oregon.